The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-23
IRON AND STEEL.
Figures Showing Gross Production for Six
Months in Comparison with Former Years.

PHILADELPHIA, July 22.--The Bulletin,
published by the American Iron and
Steel Association, says: Tho American
Iron and Steel Association has received
from the manufacturers complete sta
tistics of the production of pig-iron in the
United States in the first six months of the
present year; also. complete statistics of the
stocks of unsold pig-iron in the hands of manu-
facturers or their agents the Both day of
June last. These statistics not only CON-
plete, but they accurate. The total produc-
ton of pig-iron in the United States in the first
six months Of 1887 amounted to 3.051, 600 gross
tons Of 2,240 pounds. Our production in the
last six months Of 1886, was 3,045. 642
gross tons The production in the first six
months of 1887 was very slightly in excess
Of that in the last six months of 1856. The re-
duction in :he making of bitnminous pigron
WAS almost exactly balanced by the increase in
the make OF mixed anthracite and coke 7ig-iron.
aud the she hty increased production Of antlra-
cite pig iron aione, indicated the the substitu
tioE, IN the first six months of 1887 of anthra-
cite for coke in the production of about Ii Is 600
net tons OF pig-iron. Tho production OF spie-
gelesen and ferro manganese in the first six
months of 1887 Included in the aggregate pro-
duetion of pig-iron) is a dsnppon tment. 1t
was only % 436 net tons. In the whole of the
year 1856 made 1882 tons. The pro-
bali of 1887 was l445,674 net tons,
about AZ per cent OF our to-
tai production of pig-iron. Contrary to the
general expectation, the production of Dig-iron
IN the Southern States during the first six
months of 1887 did not advance, but was
little less than in the last six months of 1886.
The explanation of the failure of the South to
make as much progress IN the manufacture OF
pig-Iron in the first half of 1887 has been ak
pected of her, is two-fold. First. several of her
furnaces have been handicapped by a lack of
coke. Second, none of the new furnaces in the
South which were under contract last winter
or last spring have yet been completed. The
stocks of pig-iron which were unsold in the hands
of manufacturers or their agents the Both of
June last. and which were not intended for the
consumption of manufacturers, amounted to
264, TT net tons against 2o2. 704 net tons the
3lst OF December last. The general impress
at the close of June, but the figures show that
they were as large then as at the beginning OF
the year. The aggregate was, however very
small compared with the immense consumption
of pig-iron that Is now In progress in this coun-
try. The production of Bessemer steel ingots
in the first half of 1887 amounted to 1,637.572
net tons, against ACT $50 tons In the last half
of 1886, and l. 073. 663 tons in the first half of
first half Of 1856. were 5I,043 tons
of Clapp- Griffiths ingots against q. sol tons in
the last half of 1886, and 24,810 tons in the first
half of 1876 The production of Bessemer steel
rails in the first b alf of 1887 amounted to 1,030
$50 gross tons. The production in the first half
of 1887 indicates a total production of 2 100 900
gross tons for the whole year. 1t cannot ma
terially exceed these figures. The production of
rails rolled in iron rolling-ml The produc-
ton of hearth ingots in the first half of 1887
amounted to ia. 400 net tons, against 152. TO
tons the second half of 1856, and 80, $40 tons
in the first half of 1856. In the first half of 1887
We made II. 396 nett tons of open-hearth steel
rails.